Cabin services system for a mobile platform

ABSTRACT

An integrated cabin services system (CSS) for a mobile platform. The system may include a controller in communication with a plurality of remotely disposed cabin services subsystems for controlling each of the subsystems. A comprehensive database may be utilized by the CSS to employ combinational logic to control operation of the subsystems and to thus control the execution of at least one function of each of the subsystems. The comprehensive database may include a plurality of database portions, one database portion related to the controller and stored in the controller, and each one of the other database portions being related to a specific one of the subsystems, with each one of the other database portions being stored with its related said subsystem.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/670,952 filed on Sep. 25, 2003 (now abandoned). Thedisclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cabin services systems formobile platforms and more specifically to architecture for a mobileplatform cabin services system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cabin services systems (CSS) typically includes a plurality ofdifferent stand-alone subsystems, for example, audio communication,cabin lighting, information signs, and monitor and control subsystems.Known CSSs are usually designed for a unique implementation, such as fora specific mobile platform, and can vary greatly based upon the systemor operation requirements for a particular mobile platform. Thestand-alone subsystems typically include hard coded hardware linereplaceable units (LRUs), logic implementations or software loadable,multiple bus type architectures. Implementation, or installation, ofeach stand-alone subsystem generally requires wiring that isspecifically related to the particular stand-alone subsystem that runsthe length of the mobile platform. This results in multiple wire bundlesthat run the length of the mobile platform and multiple stand-alonesubsystems that each operate independent of each other to perform asingle independent function. Additionally, many of stand-alonesubsystems required different data bus types. That is, the variousdifferent stand-alone subsystems required different physicalcommunications transmission mediums and different communicationsprotocol that were specific to the particular stand-alone subsystem.

Additionally, known CSSs typically are not scalable, or easilyreconfigured, to support mobile platforms having different cabinstructures, seating capacities and desired subsystem functionality. Forexample, generally, CSSs are not scalable, or reconfigurable, for usewith different mobile platforms having differing seating capacities,differing operational requirements and/or differing subsystems. Toreconfigure contemporary CSSs typically requires change orders, testing,regulatory certification and comprehensive over hauls for each of thevarious different software applications, i.e. operating systems (OS),that control each of the various affected subsystems.

Furthermore, modifications to optimize contemporary CSSs typicallyresults in implementation of unique data bus types and protocols withinthe various CSSs. Multiple proprietary data bus implementations withinthe same mobile platform increase total weight of the system, as well asincreasing manufacture, installation and maintenance costs. The uniqueimplementations also result in increased maintenance costs that occurwhen obsolescent parts need to be replaced and/or new functionality isadded.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments of the present invention, an integrated cabinservices system (CSS) is provided. The CSS includes a controller adaptedto receive a plurality of mobile platform state inputs and a pluralityof cabin service modules communicatively connected to the controller.Each of the modules has a plurality of attributes that are utilized toaffect at least one CSS function. The CSS additionally includes acomprehensive database that includes a plurality of database portions.One database portion is related to the controller and stored thereon,and each of the other database portions are related to specific ones ofthe modules and stored in the related modules. The controller utilizesthe comprehensive database to employ combinational logic to combine thereceived state inputs and output a state command to the related databaseportion of at least one of the modules. The related database portiongenerates an output utilized to affect the states of the related moduleattributes, thereby controlling the execution of at least one CSSfunction.

The features, functions, and advantages of the present invention can beachieved independently in various embodiments of the present inventionsor may be combined in yet other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cabin services system (CSS) architectureconstructed in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is illustration of a master database utilized by the CSS shown inFIG. 1 to implement the use of combinational logic to control thefunctionality of various subsystems with the CSS.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary innature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its applicationor uses. Additionally, the advantages provided by the variousembodiments, as described below, are exemplary in nature and not allvarious embodiments provide the same advantages or the same degree ofadvantages.

Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention, a system architecture for a cabin services system(CSS) 20 of a mobile platform 31, such as an aircraft, is provided. TheCSS 20 includes a single bus type for communicating throughout the CSS.The architecture is scalable for use in different environments, e.g.,different types of mobile platform cabins, as desired or needed. It willbe appreciated that while the present invention will be described hereinin connection with an aircraft, that the invention could just as readilybe used on virtually any form of mobile platform such as a bus, ship,train, etc. Accordingly, the invention should not be interpreted asbeing limited to an aircraft.

Generally, the CSS 20 controls all of the audio and the light operationswithin a cabin 30 of the mobile platform 31, e.g. aircraft. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, control of cabin audio systems for use,for example in making announcements, control of crew intercommunicationsystems, and control of passenger lighting within the cabin 30 of themobile platform. It should be noted that the audio and lightingfunctionality may be provided in connection with each individual seat,e.g., headphone interface with each passenger seat or overhead lightingfor each passenger seat, or for portions of the cabin 30, e.g., speakerfor use in public announcements. The CSS 20 also communicates with othersystems on-board the aircraft 31 for use in controlling the audio andlight operations. For example, the CSS 20 communicates with aircraftmonitoring and control systems 36, e.g., air to ground systems, andin-flight entertainment systems 34, e.g., passenger video displays.

An exemplary embodiment of a CSS 20 architecture is shown is FIG. 1. TheCSS 20 includes a controller 32, e.g., head end computing and audioresource controller, that communicates and/or provides an interface tocontrol subsystems within the CSS 20. These subsystems include, but arenot limited to, the in-flight entertainment subsystem 34, the aircraftmonitoring and control subsystems 36, aircraft payloads subsystems 38,e.g., lavatories, galleys, closets, etc., one or more audio subsystems40, one or more lighting subsystems 42 and various crew interfacesubsystems 44. With respect to the audio subsystems 40, lightingsubsystems 42 and crew interface subsystems 44, the controller 32 ispreferably connected thereto via at least one zone switch module 48,e.g., Ethernet switch or router, which provides data flow controlbetween the subsystems 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, and between thecontroller 32 and the subsystems 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44.

The audio subsystem 40 includes one or more programmable speaker drivemodules (SDM) 50 for use in controlling audio operations within thecabin 30, such as speakers 52 for making public announcements topassengers within the cabin 30. The lighting subsystem 42 includes oneor more programmable overhead electronic units (OEU) 54 for use incontrolling lighting operations within the cabin 30. This may include,for example, control of passenger and/or galley lighting. The crewinterface subsystems 44 include one or more programmable interfacepanels 56, e.g. a computer type touch screen, for use in selecting andoperating various audio and lighting functions within the cabin 30. Thecrew interface subsystems 44 may also include one or more programmablehandsets 58 for use, for example, in making public announcements withinthe cabin 30 or for communication between crew members at differentlocations within the cabin 30.

It should be noted that the number and location of the audio subsystems40, lighting subsystems 42 and crew interface subsystems 44, and thecomponents associated therewith may be modified as desired or needed forany particular mobile platform. For example, the interface panels 56 maybe provided at different locations within the aircraft cabin dependingupon the size and configuration, e.g., seating arrangement, of theaircraft cabin. Further, the one or more zone switch modules 48 may beprovided as part of the CSS 20 as desired or needed. It should also benoted that the zone switch modules 48 may be connected in a daisy chainor series arrangement as shown in FIG. 1, or alternately, in a star orhub type arrangement depending upon, for example, system requirements.

Further, in various embodiments, busses 60 interconnecting the variouscomponents and subsystems 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 within the CSS20 may be four wire busses using IEEE 10/100 Base T Ethernet or otherlocal area network (LAN) cable. The backbone of the CSS 20 from thecontroller 32 to the zone switch module 48 a, and from zone switchmodule 48 a to zone switch module 48 b, may use two unique switchedEthernet busses, one for passenger address (PA) audio plus cabin datanetwork and the other for cabin interphone (CI) network. The twonetworks are connected inside each zone switch module 48 to connect ahandset 58 to the PA bus while the handset 58 is in PA mode and toconnect the handset 58 to the CI bus when the handset 58 is in a CImode. The PA mode enables each wired handset 58 to access the PA audiobus, for example, when making public announcements within the cabin 30.The CI mode enables each handset 58 to communicate with other handsets58, for example, cabin crew can communicate between different locationswithin the cabin 30.

The busses 60 between the handsets 58 and the zone switch modules 48 mayalso be four wire busses using IEEE 10/100 Base T Ethernet or other fourwire LAN cable with the handsets 58 being Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) ready to set up calls and initiate multicast sessions with apublic announcement (PA) system within the cabin 30. It should be notedthat each handset 58 receives power from the zone switch modules 48 andthe power is passed over the busses 60, e.g., Ethernet wires, withoutthe need for additional power wires. Further, it should be noted that ahandset 58′ in the flight deck, for example, for use by a pilot,operates in the same manner for PA announcements, except the handset 58′may be connected directly to the controller 32.

In operation, the routing of the VoIP signal is switched from the CI busto the PA bus at the zone switch module 48 and provided directly to thespeaker drive modules 50 without passing through the controller 32.Thus, every handset 58 has direct access to the speakers 52, e.g., PAspeakers. Further, the zone switch module 48 routes the handset VoIP toa CI partition in the controller 32 to process calls. Specifically, acall manager for a cabin interphone system (CIS) resides in thecontroller 32 in the CI partition and provides the VoIP conference callfunctionality. In general, the call manager provides an operatorfunction which includes directing, or routing, communication between thehandsets. For communications between three or more handsets, the callmanager sets up the communications between the handsets involved.

The CI partition can be from a commercial off the shelf application. TheCIS operates, for example, with remote chimes, call lights, and minimumfunctionality for an “all call” for all installed handsets 58. The calllights and chimes replace a ringing function of the telephone. In casethe attendants are away from the attendant stations when an incomingcall arrives at their handset(s) 58, the cabin interphone uses the calllights and chimes through the cabin speakers to alert the attendants tothe incoming calls.

Referring to FIG. 2, configuration data is used by the programmablemodules, i.e. controller 32, zone switches 48, SDMs 50, OEUs 54,interface panels 56 and handsest 58 of the CSS 20 to provide thefunctionality of each of the subsystems 40, 42 and 44 of the CSS 20. Theconfiguration data for CSS 20 is defined by a comprehensive database 70.The comprehensive database 70 is software loadable and is a singledatabase utilized by the entire CSS 20. The comprehensive database 70 ispopulated with various types of data that can be implemented or operatedon during the execution of combinational logic. For example, thecomprehensive database 70 can include such data as numerical data(data), logic statements (LS) and/or expressions (EXP), e.g. stateprograms, algorithms and equations. Related database portions (RDBPs) 74of the comprehensive database 70 are stored in the various programmablecomponents, or modules, i.e. controller 32, zone switches 48, SDMs 50,OEUs 54, interface panels 56 and handsest 58, of the CSS 20. Forexample, the controller 32 will have a RDBP 74A stored therein, each SDM50 will have a RDBP 74B stored therein, each OEU 54 will have a RDBP 74Cstored therein, each crew interface panel 56 will have a RDBP 74D storedtherein and each zone switch module 48 will have a RDBP 74E storedtherein. Each of the RDBPs 74 can include data specific to theparticular related programmable module 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56 and/or datacommon to one or more other RDBP 74. Thus, in various embodiments, thecomprehensive database 70 is a single database that is not stored in asingle programmable component, but rather includes portions, i.e. theRDBPs 74, that are stored in various programmable modules, e.g.components 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56, throughout the CSS 20.

Each SDM RDBP 74B, OEU RDBP 74C, crew interface panel RDBP 74D and thezone module RDBP 74E contains one or more fields that correspond tooutputs of the controller RDBP 74A. The fields of each RDBP 74B, 74C,74D and 74E are labeled in a manner corresponding to the output that itis pre-selected to receive from the controller 32. The respectiveprogrammable modules 50, 54, 56 and 48 use the fields in thecorresponding RDBP 74B, 74C, 74D and 74E to define the action that themodule will take when the output of an controller RDBP 74A, e.g. a“Fasten Seat Belt Sign Mode” function, changes state.

Each of the programmable modules 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56 has attributesspecific to the particular programmable module 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56.The attributes are any function the specific module 32, 48, 50, 54 and56 is capable of performing. Each of the programmable modules 32, 48,50, 54, and 56 is assigned a unique identity that allows for loading theappropriate comprehensive database 70 section to each of theprogrammable modules 32, 48, 50, 54, and 56. That is, the programmingfor controlling the attributes of each programmable module 32, 48, 50,54 and 56 is provided by the RDBP 74 stored on the respectiveprogrammable module 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56. More particularly, thecontroller 32 receives inputs from various mobile platform systems andsubsystems, such as the IES 34, the aircraft monitoring and controlsystem 36, the crew interface panels 56 and handsets 58 and 58′. Thesereceived inputs are utilized as inputs to the RDBP 74A of the controller32, which then outputs one or more commands, also referred to as triggerstates, to one or more of the programmable modules 48, 50, 54 and 56,based on the received inputs. The respective programmable modules 48,50, 54 and 56 receive the head end unit commands and utilize thecommands as inputs to the RDBP 74 stored thereon. Based on the commandsinput to the respective RDBP 74, the respective RDBP 74 outputs commandsthat control the attributes of the respective programmable module 48,50, 54 or 56.

Therefore, comprehensive database 70 defines the physical usage of eachinput and output of the controller 32, the zone switches 48, the SDMs50, the OEUs 54 and crew interface panels 56 and the logical affect thateach input has on the CSS 20. The comprehensive database 70 can map anycombination of inputs to any combination of outputs within CSS 20. Thecomprehensive database 70 maps the CSS 20 inputs via logical expressionsor mathematical combinations of state(s) to apply the appropriatetransaction for the required output(s) that define the functionality ofprogrammable component(s) 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56 within the CSS 20. Thus,via the comprehensive database 70, the CSS 20 incorporates combinationallogic to control that state of the various attributes of the variousprogrammable modules 32, 48, 50, 54 and 56. The configuration dataexpressions may be provided to each module by Ethernet IP basedcommunications that are carried by the same bus or LAN 60 that carriesthe digital audio for audio system.

For example, the zone switch module 48 routes lighting data and crewinterface panel data to the controller 32 for use in controllinglighting operation within the cabin 30. Processing requirements for thezone switch module 48 is provided by the RDBP 74E and processingrequirements for controlling functions of the OEUs 54 are provided bythe respective RDBPs 74C. As a further example, each speaker drivemodule 50 and speaker 52 has various attributes, or functionalcapabilities, that are specific to the respective SDM 50 and speaker 52.For example, each speaker drive module 50 may be capable of beingmulticast enabled to provide the PA audio and each speaker 52 may becapable of producing audio for a predetermined number of PA areas withinthe cabin 30, e.g., areas having a set of passenger seats associatedtherewith.

These attributes are enabled and/or disabled via the respective speakerdrive module RDBPs 74B in response to commands output from thecontroller RDBP 74A that are based on inputs to the RDBP 74A from thevarious CSS 20 systems and subsystems.

As a still further example, the OEUs 54 preferably drive light emittingdiodes (LEDs) or other light sources, e.g., halogen lamps, for providinglighting within the cabin 30. For example, a digital interface toballast/mood lighting is provided. Herein, the lighting sources areassumed to be smart, as are the devices within the other subsystems, orcommandable, via a digital interface or bus. Thus, the present inventionprovides control of these light sources through the bus without point topoint wiring between the OEUs 54 and the lighting sources. Particularly,each SDM 50 and/or OEU 54 has an associated function or expression inthe controller RDBP 74A and/or the respective OEU and SDM RDBPs 74C and74B that control the respective OEU 54 and/or SDM 50. For instance,programmable signs may be programmed to enable a particular state event,i.e., display a given sign, such as a “Fasten Seat Belt” sign. Moreover,a “Fasten Seat Belt” logical expression, i.e., state program, thatcontrols the “Fasten Seat Belt” state event of the OEUs 54 may bedefined as having two modes, off and on. An exemplary logical expressionor state program for determining the state of the LEDs that illuminatethe “Fasten Seat Belt” sign may be defined as:Fasten Seat Belt Sign=(Fasten Seat Belt Switch=ON) OR ((Fasten Seat BeltSwitch=Auto) AND (Landing Gear extended OR Cabin Pressure>{a Value inRDBP 74A and/or RDBP 74B and/or RDPB 74C} OR Aircraft Altitude<{a Valuein RDBP 74A and/or RDBP 74B and/or RDPB 74C})) OR (Fasten Seat BeltSwitch=OFF).

The operands in the parenthesis ( ) represent mobile platform stateinformation that may be digital data received by the systems andsubsystems of the CSS 20, e.g. the monitoring and control system 36, theIES 34, the crew interface panels 56 and/or the crew or pilot handsets58 and 58′. In contrast, the operands in the brackets {} are dataentries that are defined within the comprehensive database 70 for eachof the functions.

The logical expression, or state program, “Fasten Seat Belt Sign” shownabove generates an output of the controller RDBP 74A that is used as ininput to the OEU RDBP 74C and/or the SDM RDBP 74B to control the “FastenSeat Belt” sign and/or related audio sound affects. That is, theexpression or function resides in the RDBP 74A of the controller 32.Accordingly, the controller 32 periodically, or asynchronously,calculates its outputs, which in this example includes execution of the“Fasten Seat Belt Sign” function. Depending on where the componentsassociated with the function reside, the controller 32 may then transmitthe result to the programmable components dictated by the RDBP 74A overone or more of the data buses 60. The data buses 60 throughout the CSS20 comprise a single physical communication medium type, e.g. Ethernet,that communicate data throughout the CSS 20 utilizing a singlecommunications protocol, e.g. an Internet protocol (IP). Thus, via theincorporation of combinational logic, communication is performedthroughout the entire CSS 20 using a common backbone that comprises asingle communication medium type and a single communications protocol.

In an alternative scenario of the present example, if a pilot or crewmember manually changes the position of a “Fasten Seat Belt” switch, thecontroller 32 receives a signal indicative of the new switch positionand utilizes the RDBP 74A to determine the output of the “Fasten SeatBelt Sign” function that the pre-programmed RDBP 74A dictates shouldresult from the new switch setting. The controller 32 then transmits anew state command to all of the programmable components 48, 50, 54and/or 56 that the pre-programmed RDBP 74A dictates should receive thenew state command and thereby alter their respective states, i.e. changethe state of their respective attributes. Thereafter, the respectiveRDBPs 74B, 74C, 74D and/or 74E dictate how the respective programmablemodule states should change or respond in accordance with the new statecommand from the controller 32. For example, in addition to the newstate command being communicated to the OEUs 54, the RDBP 74A maydictate that a new state command also be communicated to the SDMs 50that will have a RDBP 74B entry that also maps the “Fasten Seat BeltSign” function to alter the state of one or more SDM 50 attributes.Thus, via the incorporation of combinational logic, the “Fasten SeatBelt Sign” function of the controller RDBP 74A is executed and thecontroller 32 outputs state commands to the OEUs 54 and the SDMs 50. Inresponse thereto, the OEUs 54 change the state of the LED's thatilluminate all or selected ones of the “Fasten Seat Belt” signs, and theSDMs 50 also respond with outputs to drive pre-selected speakers 52 tooutput a sound, for instance chime sounds.

Alternatively, when the pilot or crew member manually changes theposition of the “Fasten Seat Belt” switch the SDMs 50 can be commandedto sound a chime sound, via the controller RDBP 74A, as described above.The chime sound may be an indicator for a crew member to change thestate of the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign, via the crew interface panel 56.Accordingly, a signal would be sent from the crew interface panel 56 tothe controller 32 to change the state of the “Fasten Seat Belt”function. In response to receiving the signal from the crew interfacepanel 56, the controller 32 utilizes the RDBP 74A to command the OEUs 54to change the state of one or more related attributes, e.g. alter thestate of the LED's of the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign, as described above.Thus, the CSS 20 may audibly alert the crew and passengers to the changeof state of the “Fasten Seat Belt” signs via the crew interface panels56.

In various embodiments, the speaker drive modules 50 include a residentpriority manager for use in operating the speakers 52, for example whenmaking cabin announcements of different priorities. For instance, thepriority manager prioritizes announcements from the flight deck ashaving the highest priority. Then in descending order, the prioritymanager prioritizes announcements from the attendants, recordedannouncements, and boarding music. Accordingly, the priority manageroverrides lower priority announcements with higher priorityannouncements. The RDBPs 74B include data, e.g. expressions and/or logicstatements, that the priority manager uses to compare incomingannouncements with the types of announcements that the particularspeaker 52 is pre-selected to announce. Accordingly, the speakers 52provided by the present invention provide announcements based on thesepre-selection or state programs.

Generally, each of the programmable modules 48, 50, 54 and 56 receivecontroller 32 outputs over the data buses 60. The individualprogrammable modules 48, 50, 54 and/or 56 then respond to the controller32 outputs as the respective programmable module 48, 50, 54 and/or 56 isprogrammed to respond, i.e. as the respective RDBP 74 dictates. Thus,for example, the “Fasten Seat Belt” signs may turn on or off inaccordance with the change in state discussed above, and the SDMs 50 maydrive the speakers 52 with a chime. More particularly, the CSS 20 is asingle integrated system that synchronizes the operation of all systemsand subsystems 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44 and 48. Specifically, the CSS 20is a single integrated system that implements combinational logic, viathe comprehensive database 70, to control the states of all theattributes of all the modules 32, 48, 50, 54, 56 58 and 58′. Forexample, the controller 32 synchronizes and calculates the states ofeach programmable module 48, 50, 54 and 56, while each programmablemodule 48, 50, 54 and 56 simultaneously monitors the states of its ownrespective attributes and controls these states based on commands fromthe controller 32.

Alternatively, the controller 32 can have the entire comprehensivedatabase 70 stored thereon and thereby implement combinational logic todirectly control the states of the attributes of all the components 32,40, 42, 44, and 48. That is, the components 32, 40, 42, 44 and 48 areeffectively ‘slave’ components that are directly controlled by the‘master’ controller 32, via that comprehensive database 70 entirelystored thereon.

In various embodiments, the state data is automatically sent from theCSS 20 systems, such as the monitoring and control system 36 and/or theIES 34, to the controller 32 on a periodic basis. For example, every20-100 milliseconds the controller receives updated state data from themonitoring and control system 36 and/or the IES 34. In response to eachstate data update, the controller 32 determines the combinational logicstatements of the comprehensive database 70 defined by those state data,i.e. the combinational logic statements having those state data asinputs. The controller 32 then recalculates and automatically sends newstate commands to the appropriate modules 48, 50, 54 and/or 56.

Although the example above have related to a specific “Fasten Seat Belt”state program, it should be understood that all cabin services arecontrolled via the comprehensive database 70 as described in the above“Fasten Seat Belt” example. For example, a “Wakeup Passenger” lightingstate program, where the illumination intensity of the cabin lights isslowly increased from near dark to full lighting, or a “Boarding” audiostate program, where particular music and greetings are played duringpassenger boarding, is automatically and/or manually activated insimilar fashion to the “Fasten Seat Belt” state program described above.Or, the determination of which selectable buttons are displayed on crewinterface panels 56 and the selectable buttons orientation and meaning,or any other lighting and audio state program implemented by the CSS 20is automatically and/or manually activated in similar fashion to the“Fasten Seat Belt” state program described above.

Furthermore, through the combinational logic, the comprehensive database70 can combine the attributes of the entire CSS 20 to get a desiredeffect. For instance, the combinational logic could start a “Wake UpLighting” state program that changes the cabin lighting from night modeto breakfast mode over a period of fifteen minutes, while at the sametime defining a “Lighting Color” state program to transition from a darkpurple light to a bright yellow light. Substantially simultaneously, thePA system could be activated start playing music of birds chirping. Or,the combinational logic in the comprehensive database 70 could trigger a“Start Breakfast” state program that activates soft music playing overthe PA and simultaneously turns on or off various lighting throughoutthe cabin 30.

More particularly, every state program is defined by the comprehensivedatabase 70 such that the state event controlled by the state program isdefinable within the comprehensive database 70. Therefore, thefunctionality of each state program and therefore the manner ofexecution or performance of the state events of each module 32, 48, 50,54 and 56 can be changed, modified and altered by merely changing thenumerical data (data), logic statements (LS) and/or expressions (EXP),e.g. state programs, algorithms and equations programmed into thecomprehensive database 70. Moreover, each component 48, 50, 54 and 56can be defined to have different attributes, i.e. functionality, fromone aircraft to the next. That is, the CSS 20 on every aircraft iseffectively the same, but the functionality of the CSS 20 can bedifferent based on the particular data, e.g. numerical data (data),logic statements (LS) and/or expressions (EXP), programmed into thecomprehensive database 70. Thus, modules 48, 50, 54 and 56 can begeneric line replaceable units (LRUs) and the comprehensive databasedefines the functionality of each module 48, 50, 54 and 56. Thus, thefunctionality of the controller 32, the zone switch modules 48, the SDMs50, the OEUs 54, the crew interface panels 56 and the handsets 58 and58′ can be dynamically changed by just changing the data programmed intothe comprehensive database 70.

The controller 32 can receive combinations of inputs and viacombinational logic employed using the comprehensive database 70,combine the inputs to control the state events executed by thecontroller 32 the zone switches 48, the SDMs 50, the OEUs 54 and thecrew interface panels 56. The inputs can be any manual input by the crewand/or any automatically monitored state of the aircraft such as flappositions, landing gear status, speed of the aircraft, altitude of theaircraft, flight phase, date and/or time. The data programmed into thecomprehensive database 70 can be changed from one aircraft to the nextsuch that functionality of the controller 32 the zone switches 48, theSDMs 50, the OEUs 54 and the crew interface panels 56 can be changed asdesired for each specific aircraft.

Turning now to another preferred embodiment, a CSS 20 is provided thatincludes the following:

(1) A wired backbone consisting of IEEE 10/100 Base T Ethernet or otherLAN between the controller 32 and zone switch modules 48 selectivelydistributed throughout the cabin 30 to optimize wiring;

(2) Standard IP based protocol with VoIP used for all audio;

(3) Dedicated switched Ethernet busses 60 between zone switch modules 48and each of the audio subsystem 40, the lighting subsystem 42 and thecrew interface subsystems 44;

(4) VoIP enabled handsets 58 connected in a daisy chain or starconfiguration to the zone switch modules 48;

(5) Audio announcements originating from the flight deck, e.g., usingthe flight deck handset 58′, and cabin handsets 58 provided bymulticasting audio stream to speakers 52 and the in-flight entertainmentsystem 34 using the same bus 60 as cabin lighting, and monitor andcontrol for other subsystems;

(6) Handset 58 to handset 58 communications using a dedicated bus andVoIP to provide all cabin station to station calls, conference calls, orall handset calls with a single dial code entry; and

(7) Cabin panels 56 configured as web browsers that can control cabinlighting, and monitor and control other cabin features.

Thus, various embodiments of the present invention provide a CSS 20 thatis scalable, for example, for use in aircraft of different sizes, andthat is more cost and weight effective. The CSS 20 achieves singlesystem architecture. i.e., all busses 60 being of the same type, for thebackbone of all CSS 20 subsystems. This minimizes data bus types andreduces the cost of, for example, subsystem auto test features andimproves software load capabilities. The CSS 20 eliminates the need forproprietary protocols and leverages current audio and data technologies.The CSS 20 provides functionality upgrade capability through the use ofcomprehensive database 70 and leverages the throughput capability of astandard IP based bus architecture. The CSS 20 enables conferencecalling capability for a plurality of users, e.g., more than twenty fivecallers, using VOIP.

More particularly, the CSS 20 incorporates a common backbone throughoutand utilizes combinational logic to control all components, e.g. everyOEU 54 and every SDM 50, using one system that utilizes operationalsoftware to access the data tables. Therefore, changes to thefunctionality of any component can be accomplished by merely changingdata and/or logic expressions in the database without having to changeoperational software. The CSS 20 utilizes a single set of logic. Thatis, the head end computing resource 32, the OEUs 50, the SDMs 54 and allother switch modules of the CSS 20 are operated and controlled using asingle logic set. The logic set is a definable data base that isutilized to implement combinational logic to control the functionalityof all the OEUs 50, the SDMs 54 and all other switch modules of the CSS20. For example, cabin lighting, cabin audio, cabin information signing,cabin temperature, galley functions, lavatory functionality and thewaste tank water indicators are all controlled using a single systemhaving one data bus structure that utilizes one operating system thatincorporate the comprehensive database 70. Thus, through theimplementation of a single database, i.e. the comprehensive database 70,and a single backbone the CSS 20 combines all of the systems andsubsystem of CSS 20, that are traditionally stand-alone systems and,therefore controls the operation and functionality of all the systemsand subsystems as a single integrated entity or system.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention hasbeen described in connection with particular examples thereof, the truescope of the invention should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings, specification and following claims.

1. An integrated cabin services system (CSS) for a mobile platform, saidsystem comprising: a controller; a plurality of cabin servicessubsystems communicatively connected to the controller, the cabinservices subsystems being located remote from the controller, each ofthe subsystems having a plurality of attributes for affecting aplurality of functions of the cabin services subsystems; a comprehensivedatabase utilized by the CSS to employ combinational logic to controloperation of the subsystems and to thus control the execution of atleast one function of each of the subsystems; and the comprehensivedatabase including a plurality of database portions, one databaseportion related to the controller and stored in the controller, and eachone of the other database portions being related to a specific one ofthe subsystems, with each said one of the other database portions beingstored with its related said subsystem; and each of said other databaseportions further being configured to receive a specific, associatedoutput from the one database portion related to the controller to enableeach said cabin services subsystem to carry out a specific functionassigned thereto; a zone switch interposed between the controller and atleast a subplurality of the subsystems; and the zone switch having oneof said other database portions stored therein, including one or morefields corresponding to an output from said database portion related tothe controller, the zone switch further adapted to receive apre-selected output from the controller that defines an action of thezone switch; a first switched network bus and a second switched networkbus incorporated within the zone switch for enabling either of twoselectable, independent network communications paths to be formedthrough the zone switch; and wherein the controller is further adaptedto receive a plurality of mobile platform inputs regarding operation ofthe mobile platform and to utilize the comprehensive database to employthe combinational logic to combine the mobile platform inputs and togenerate an output for the zone switch and one or more of the subsystemsbased on the combined mobile platform inputs.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of cabin services subsystems comprise at least twoof a plurality of speaker drive modules, a plurality of overheadelectronic units, a plurality of crew interface panels and a pluralityof audio system handsets.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thecomprehensive database is dynamically programmable such that thecombinational logic used to control the subsystems can be dynamicallychanged to alter the execution of operations of the CSS for each of thesubsystems without modifying hardware of the CSS.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein execution of multiple functions by the subsystems issubstantially simultaneously controlled using the comprehensivedatabase.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the comprehensive databaseincludes at least one of numerical data, logic statements and programs.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the subsystems are adapted to utilizethe output as an input to their respective said subsystem relatedportions of the comprehensive database to generate an output from theirrespective said subsystem related portions of the comprehensivedatabase.
 7. A method for controlling execution of a mobile platformintegrated cabin services system (CSS), said method comprising:receiving as inputs to a CSS comprehensive database, a plurality ofmobile platform subsystem inputs, at least one of said mobile platformsubsystem inputs including an input related to an operational state ofthe mobile platform; utilizing the comprehensive database to employcombinational logic to generate a command by a controller based on thereceived inputs, wherein the comprehensive database includes at least asubplurality of: numerical data; logic statements; and programs;utilizing the command to control operation of a plurality of attributesof a plurality of cabin services subsystems located remotely from thecontroller, to control execution by the subsystems of a plurality ofdifferent operations of the CSS; storing portions of the comprehensivedatabase in each of the controller and the cabin services subsystems,each said portion of the comprehensive database being associated with arespective one of the controller and the subsystems; said portions ofthe comprehensive database that are stored in the cabin servicessubsystems further being configured to receive a specific output fromthe database portion associated with the controller, each said specificoutput being constructed using combinational logic from at least thesubplurality of the numerical data, the logic statements and theprograms, to enable each said comprehensive database portion being usedwith each one of the cabin services subsystems to control a specificoperation of each said cabin services subsystem assigned thereto, in acoordinated manner, in accordance with the mobile platform inputs; andplacing a zone switch in communication with the controller and at leasta subplurality of the cabin services subsystems; and incorporating afirst switched network bus and a second switched network bus within thezone switch for enabling either one of two selectable networkcommunications paths to be formed through the zone switch.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the cabin services subsystems comprise at least twoof: a plurality of speaker drive modules, a plurality of overheadelectronic units, a plurality of crew interface panels; and a pluralityof audio system handsets.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein thecomprehensive database is dynamically programmable such that thecombinational logic used to control the subsystems can be dynamicallychanged to alter the execution of the operations of the CSS withoutmodifying hardware of the CSS.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein saidutilizing the comprehensive database to employ combinational logic tocontrol the subsystems comprises substantially simultaneouslycontrolling the subsystems to effect execution of multiple operations ofthe CSS.
 11. A mobile platform comprising: an integrated cabin servicessystem (CSS) including: a controller adapted to receive a plurality ofinputs regarding operation of a mobile platform, the inputs comprising:an input from a crew member; and a state of a monitored subsystem of themobile platform; a plurality of cabin service subsystems locatedremotely from the controller and communicatively connected to thecontroller, each of the subsystems having a plurality of attributes forcarrying out at least one function; and a comprehensive databasecomprising a plurality of database portions, one database portion beingrelated to the controller and stored thereon, and each of the otherdatabase portions being related to specific ones of the subsystems andlocated at its associated said subsystem; the controller being furtheradapted to utilize the comprehensive database to employ combinationallogic to combine the received inputs concerning the mobile platform, andto output commands to the related database portion of each one of aplurality of the subsystems to control execution of operations of theCSS by each one of the subsystems; the controller further adapted toutilize the comprehensive database to employ the combinational logic tocombine the received inputs from the mobile platform and to outputcommands to the related database portions of a plurality of thesubsystems to cause the plurality of the subsystems to generate outputsfrom related database portions thereof to substantially simultaneouslycontrol the execution of operations of the CSS in a coordinated manner,taking into account the plurality of inputs regarding the operation ofthe mobile platform; and a zone switch module in communication with thecontroller and enabling the controller to be interfaced to thesubsystems, the zone switch module including first and second selectablenetwork communications busses for enabling two distinct communicationpaths, one being to implement a passenger address mode of operation, andthe other to implement a cabin interface mode of operation, to beprovided.
 12. The mobile platform of claim 11, wherein the cabinservices subsystems comprise at least two of: a plurality of speakerdrive modules, a plurality of overhead electronic units, a plurality ofcrew interface panels; and a plurality of audio system handsets.
 13. Themobile platform of claim 11, wherein the comprehensive database isdynamically programmable such that the combinational logic used tocontrol the operation of the subsystems can be dynamically changed toalter the execution of operations of the CSS without modifying the CSS.14. The mobile platform of claim 11, wherein the comprehensive databaseincludes numerical data, logic statements and programs.